Summary of "Current ideas of a complex relationship between atrial fibrillation and ischemic heart disease and of optimum tactics for anticoagulant therapy to prevent embolism in systemic circulation."

The article discusses the issue of searching for optimum oral anticoagulants to prevent thrombosis and embolism induced by heart disease both in patients with atrial fibrillation and sinus rhythm. A complex bidirectional relationship between atrial fibrillation and coronary atherosclerosis is considered along with possible mechanisms for development of myocardial infarction in patients with atrial fibrillation. The authors provided evidence-based data which can be used in selecting an anticoagulant for prevention of heart disease induced thrombosis and embolism taking into account both the efficacy and safety established in randomized clinical studies.

Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of stroke by a factor of 4- to 5-fold, and dementia is a common consequence of stroke. However, atrial fibrillation has been associated with cognitive impairment...

The interruption of oral anticoagulation therapy (OAC) after CA of atrial fibrillation (AF) is controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between successful long-term ou...

The detection of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is crucial in the etiological study of an acute ischemic stroke (AIS), although this type of arrhythmia is often under-diagnosed. This prospective...

The purpose of this study is to determine if preforming a posterior left pericardiotomy
prevents atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery.

Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions

Atrial Flutter

Rapid, irregular atrial contractions caused by a block of electrical impulse conduction in the right atrium and a reentrant wave front traveling up the inter-atrial septum and down the right atrial free wall or vice versa. Unlike ATRIAL FIBRILLATION which is caused by abnormal impulse generation, typical atrial flutter is caused by abnormal impulse conduction. As in atrial fibrillation, patients with atrial flutter cannot effectively pump blood into the lower chambers of the heart (HEART VENTRICLES).

Atrial Remodeling

Long-term changes in the electrophysiological parameters and/or anatomical structures of the HEART ATRIA that result from prolonged changes in atrial rate, often associated with ATRIAL FIBRILLATION or long periods of intense EXERCISE.

Digoxin

A cardiotonic glycoside obtained mainly from Digitalis lanata; it consists of three sugars and the aglycone DIGOXIGENIN. Digoxin has positive inotropic and negative chronotropic activity. It is used to control ventricular rate in ATRIAL FIBRILLATION and in the management of congestive heart failure with atrial fibrillation. Its use in congestive heart failure and sinus rhythm is less certain. The margin between toxic and therapeutic doses is small. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p666)

Interatrial Block

Impaired or delayed impulse conduction between the right and left HEART ATRIA. Advanced interatrial blocks are often associated with arrhythmias (e.g., ATRIAL FLUTTER; and ATRIAL FIBRILLATION), direct conduction block via the Bachmann's bundle and concomitant left atrial enlargement. Syndrome of advanced interatrial block associated with SUPRAVENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA is referred to as Bayes syndrome.

Ischemic Postconditioning

The application of repeated, brief periods of vascular occlusion at the onset of REPERFUSION to reduce REPERFUSION INJURY that follows a prolonged ischemic event. The techniques are similar to ISCHEMIC PRECONDITIONING but the time of application is after the ischemic event instead of before.

Relevant Topic

CardiologyCardiology is a specialty of internal medicine.
Cardiac electrophysiology : Study of the electrical properties and conduction diseases of the heart.
Echocardiography : The use of ultrasound to study the mechanical function/physics of the h...